South Africa plans to move away from coal and toward nuclear power.
According to Business Tech (2022), the government said: “The role of nuclear energy in achieving net-zero emission goals cannot be overemphasised as it is evident in some countries of the G20 that already have Paris Agreement compatible plans and are aggressively deploying or considering ramping up the share of nuclear in the energy mix, such as France (operating about 58 nuclear power plants) and Canada,”
Energy has always been a driving force behind businesses, manufacturing, transportation of commodities, and service delivery across the country. It is at the heart of contemporary life since it influences everything we do and impacts our very survival. As a result, energy is a catalyst for economic development and sustainability.
South Africa’s electrical supply industry continues to be at the heart of the country’s economic and social growth. By combining labour and capital to create energy, the industry then has a direct impact on the economy.
This is especially critical at a time when the country’s economic growth and job creation are such high goals. Aside from the overall economic benefits of the energy industry, comparatively lower and more stable energy costs are critical in fueling the country’s economy. The Department of Energy is responsible for ensuring that as the nation’s economy grows, energy resources are accessible and that cheap, dependable, and sustainable energy is available, all while limiting negative environmental consequences.
According to the 2019 South African Energy Sector Report, the National Development Plan (NDP) states that by 2030, South Africa will have an energy sector that promotes economic growth and development through adequate investment in energy infrastructure. The plan also states that by 2030, South Africa will have an adequate supply of electricity and liquid fuels to ensure that economic activities and welfare are not disrupted and that at least 95% of the population will have access to the grid or off-grid electricity.
Coal dominates the South African energy market because it is abundant, inexpensive, and has some of the lowest energy prices in the world. Other than coal, South Africa’s primary energy supply consists of biomass, such as wood and dung, natural gas, hydropower, nuclear power, solar power, and wind power. In 2016, coal accounted for approximately 69% of the total primary energy supply.
The Shift
South Africa’s nuclear sector is governed by the Nuclear Energy Act 1999, Act 46 of 1999, and the National Radioactive Waste Disposal Institute Act, Act 53 of 2008. The National Nuclear Regulator (NNR) was established under Act 47 of 1999. South Africa’s Nuclear Energy Policy was adopted by the Cabinet in October 2008. The South African government’s vision for the development of a large-scale nuclear energy program is outlined in the Nuclear Energy Policy, which ensures that the government’s goal of prospecting for and mining uranium ore, as well as the use of uranium (or other relevant nuclear materials) as a primary source of energy, is regulated and managed peacefully.
According to Business Tech (2022), the government wants to repurpose South Africa’s coal fleet towards nuclear energy as part of a move away from harmful fossil fuels over the next 30 years.
Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Patricia De Lille published the government’s national infrastructure plan 2050 on Friday (March 11, 2022). “Coal use will be significantly reduced and the use of renewable energy will be dramatically increased, especially solar and wind, where South Africa has a significant advantage,” it said.
South Africa has long depended on electricity from coal-fired power stations, delivered by Eskom as a vertically integrated monopoly. In 2010, 87% of the 254 TWh of power was coal-fired. By 2019, annual electricity production was 3,5% less, at 245 TWh, with coal accounting for 79% and renewables for 12%.
According to the government’s forecasts, coal use will be drastically reduced by 2050, while renewable energy will be dramatically increased, especially solar and wind energy, which play a dominant role in a least-cost energy mix and where South Africa has significant advantages.
Why Solar is becoming a more sustainable option in South Africa
In 2018, we were awarded various solar projects, namely:
- Substation – Dyason’s Klip 1 – High Voltage Contract for an 86MW Solar Plant
- Substation – Dyasons Klip 2 – High Voltage Contract for an 86MW Solar Plant
- Substation – Sirius – High Voltage Contract for an 86MW Solar Plant
- SwitchYard – Eskom Self Built 132kV Switchyard
- 132kV Monopole Line – Construction of a 13km Double TERN line on self-supporting steel monopoles as per ESKOM Specification, including foundations, mast erecting, stringing and OPGW installation.
Like all renewable energies, solar energy is safe and environmentally friendly. In contrast to coal-fired stations, solar power emits no greenhouse gases.
In most parts of South Africa, there are more than 2 500 hours of sunshine per year, and average levels of solar radiation are between 4.5 and 6.5 kWh/m2.
Southern Africa, as well as the entire African continent, enjoys sunshine all year long. South Africa receives about 220 W/m2 of solar radiation per year on average, compared with about 150 W/m2 for parts of the United States, and about 100 W/m2 for Europe and the United Kingdom. Local resources in South Africa are among the highest in the world.
Solar energy is the most readily accessible resource in South Africa. As a result, the country’s solar equipment industry is flourishing. The South African Local Government Association (Salga) reported in 2020, that a total of 29 South African municipalities have already approved tariff frameworks for small-scale embedded generation (SSEG), with 282 MW of mostly rooftop solar capacity having been formally integrated into municipal networks. Also under REIPPP, the country aims to install 8,400 MW generation capacity of solar PV by 2030, enough to provide energy to 1.5 million households. Further, in March 2022, the government of Cape Town intends to procure up to 300MW of renewable energy from IPPs over the next few months.
Solar energy has become a more efficient alternative in South Africa’s economy as it’s becoming the standard norm for renewable energy not just in South Africa, but also throughout Africa. We are proud to be one of the first companies to pioneer this shift to renewable energy and look forward to continuing to secure renewable energy for the future.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electricity_sector_in_South_Africa
http://www.energy.gov.za/files/media/explained/2019-South-African-Energy-Sector-Report.pdf
https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/south-africa-solar-power-market-industry
